Building the Next Finance Director Diane Reichard, City of Temple Terrace Mark Fostier, Orange County Comptroller’s Office Binh Nguyen, Lake County BCC Jamie Roberson, Osceola County – Property Appraiser Mary-Lou Pickles, St. Johns River Management District

Technically qualified and accurate Objective Provide clear and concise communication Be flexible and compromisable Globally focused Honest and up front Sense of humor City Manager Qualifications in a Finance Director

Strategist Translator Leader Technical Generalist Facilitator CFO Skill Set

Understand problems and their implications View organization at the 10,000 foot level Consider other alternatives Take on new projects, be a go-to person Strategist

Use performance measures to provide information to CEO Be a good listener Enhance critical thinking that leads to consensus Align solution with CEO’s strategy Translator

Motivate people Improve interpersonal communications “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.“ – Dwight Eisenhower Leader

Expand knowledge to know a little bit about a lot Know when and how to ask questions “Knowledge is of two kinds; we know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.” – Samuel Johnson Technical Generalist

Good ideas come to die in accounting Be a proactive problem solver Respect others and their ideas Facilitator

A Case Study FGFOA Mentoring Program

Strategic Goal Objectives Actions FGFOA Mentoring Work Plan

To be a Finance Director for a city or county government Strategic Goal

Increase governmental accounting and finance knowledge through job shadowing opportunities and additional education and certification Expand professional contacts and networking opportunities to broaden information sharing possibilities Increase participation in FGFOA and the Central Florida Chapter Objectives Objectives

Participate in job shadowing opportunities with the Comptroller’s Office in the following functional areas: Accounting (general ledger/budgetary accounting; CAFR preparation; grants accounting; MSTU accounting) Treasury (investments; cash management; debt issuance and administration) Actions Actions

Participate in job shadowing opportunities with the Comptroller’s Office in the following functional areas: Accounts Payable (preaudit function; quality control; contracts administration) Payroll (preaudit function; union contract administration; benefits administration) Information Systems – Advantage Financial System and Oracle/PeopleSoft HRIS (functional responsibilities; system upgrades and support; system implementation) Actions (Continued) Actions (Continued)

Complete a college level governmental accounting course Obtain GFOA’s CPFO certification Pursue becoming the 2012 FGFOA Conference Host Committee Chair Serve on an FGFOA committee each year with the intent of serving two years and becoming the Chair in the third year Serve as a Director of the Central Florida Chapter Serve as a Director of the FGFOA Actions (Continued) Actions (Continued)

Prepared well for all job shadowing opportunities Preparation in relation to CFO Skill as a Technical Generalist Preparation Preparation

Networking in relation to CFO Skill as a Facilitator Volunteer with professional organizations Get Involved Get Involved

Planning and organization are important management skills Self motivation is a crucial skill for success Motivation Motivation

Special Projects Learn other aspects of your organization Don’t limit yourself to the financial function Strategist Strategist

Special Projects Translation of strategy into a measurable and accountable plan Translator Translator

Motivation of the stakeholders Understanding the stakeholders in the organization both external and internal and having the ability to motivate them Leader Leader

Specialization vs. experience in various functions of the organization Do not limit yourself solely to the numbers. All functions within an organization impact the numbers. If you understand various aspects of the organization, it will allow you to become a better CFO or Finance Director Technical Generalist Technical Generalist

Finance Office deemed as ‘gloom & doom’ Facilitator Facilitator

Strategist Translator Leader Technical Generalist Facilitator CFO Skill Set

Curiosity and Opportunity have No Limits! Edison said – Good things happen when opportunity meets a prepared mind. Closing Thoughts Closing Thoughts

Edison said – Good things happen when opportunity meets a prepared mind. Can’t be satisfied with the status quo The CGFO program provides career-building value …And also Opening Thoughts …And also Opening Thoughts

The original examination was purchased from the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas in 1990 The first CGFO examination was given in the early 1990s CGFO Background Information CGFO Background Information

Evaluates and administers the semi- annual certification examinations Monitors requirements for reporting continuing professional education Future projects include exploring on-line feasibility for review courses and exams CGFO Certification Committee CGFO Certification Committee

Encourage a level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of government finance Encourage development and maintenance of professional competence for practicing governmental finance officers CGFO Program Purpose CGFO Program Purpose

Active FGFOA member Bachelor’s degree in accounting, public or business administration or a closely related field Three years government work experience Two letters of recommendation Accept the FGFOA Code of Ethics Minimum Qualifications

Pass* an open book Ethics Exam Pass* all five sections of the CGFO examination in five years * Achieve a minimum score of 75 percent. Achieving Your CGFO Designation Achieving Your CGFO Designation

Review Sessions - Offered at the School of Governmental Finance Strategies Reference Materials CGFO Exam Preparation CGFO Exam Preparation

Are offered twice a year in November at the School of Governmental Finance and in the spring (usually in March) at various locations throughout the state depending on demand. CGFO Examinations CGFO Examinations

CGFO Examination Contents – Accounting & Financial Reporting CGFO Examination Contents – Accounting & Financial Reporting

CGFO Examination Contents – Debt Administration CGFO Examination Contents – Debt Administration

CGFO Examination Contents – Financial Administration CGFO Examination Contents – Financial Administration

CGFO Examination Contents – Municipal Budgeting CGFO Examination Contents – Municipal Budgeting

CGFO Examination Contents – Treasury Management CGFO Examination Contents – Treasury Management

You will distinguish yourself as a business professional who is committed to a strict code of ethics You will demonstrate your commitment to personal professional development and lifelong learning How does the CGFO Designation Benefit YOU? How does the CGFO Designation Benefit YOU?

You will confirm substantial knowledge of accounting, finance, and important related fields specific to local governments Opportunity to assess and demonstrate your capabilities and expand your knowledge base How does the CGFO Designation Benefit YOU? How does the CGFO Designation Benefit YOU?

Recognition of achievement Expanded career opportunities Personal Satisfaction Enhance your self-confidence, your sense of accomplishment, and your resume How does the CGFO Designation Benefit YOU? How does the CGFO Designation Benefit YOU?

Take the Challenge! “Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing” – Barry Finlay “All of life is a constant education” – Eleanor Roosevelt What are you waiting for ? What are you waiting for ?

Questions? Additional Information CGFO Program CGFO Program